Assignment #2 - Culture

Exercise #2, Cultural Identity

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Due October 5

Cultures can be many things, but they are certainly not static. Cultures can be changed through innovations and inventions, diffusion, acculturation, and revitalization. With the twentieth century advancement in communications, transportation, and trade, cultures in many parts of the world have become increasingly dynamic. Some nations fear an eventual loss of cultural identity with ever-increasing global interconnections. Cultural imperialism has been defined as the emerging global culture dominated by the world's superpower, the United States. Some argue that U.S. cultural influence is at least as strong as its military influence. Industrialized nations have responded in various ways to America's cultural dominance. France has become particularly wary of U.S. influence (e.g., la loi Toubon of 1994, a law which forbids French public entities and corporations engaged in public activities from using English expressions where there is a French equivalent). Canada has "allowed" considerable American cultural influence (e.g., most of the current National Hockey League franchises are now located in the U.S.). Since World War II, Japan has incorporated whole segments of American culture (e.g., baseball & fast food), yet has remained distinctively Japanese. The less industrialized nations have also had a different response to American cultural dominance. Many of the Islamic-dominated nations of the Middle East have little tolerance for American cultural influences and use censorship and other tactics to keep this influence to a minimum. Some additional cultural conflicts between less developed nations and the U.S. grew out of the Cold War which often pitted "godless communists" versus "corrupt capitalists."

Please answer the following questions and try to come up with real world examples to support your position.

1. Does U.S. cultural imperialism exist, and, if yes, in what ways?

2. If no, are we simply witnessing the development of a "global" culture that currently happens to be largely influenced by the United States?

3. Or, will increased nationalism maintain separate and distinct cultures, with no one culture being dominant?

Assignment #1 - Immigration

In this exercise, we will be examining some of the key current debates on international migration that concern politics, economics, and culture. You will be reading two short articles online and providing some analysis of the views presented in each piece.

“The case for globalized labor” by Stephan Faris, appearing in Salon.com

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/05/01/global_labor/index.html

“Germany has misread Islam” by Christopher Caldwell, appearing in the Financial Times

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/4fa8a4c4-627f-11de-b1c9-00144feabdc0,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F4fa8a4c4-627f-11de-b1c9-00144feabdc0.html&_i_referer=

1. What are the main arguments of each author? Summarize their points of agreement and disagreement.

2. Stephan Faris writes, “If we're going to ask countries to let in our goods, we should be willing to let in their workers.” Do you agree? What might be the effects of relaxing immigration restrictions?

3. Christopher Caldwell makes a point about the integration of immigrant communities. Should ideas about diversity and integration be considered in immigration policy? Should countries take into account the origins of migrant communities?

4. Both authors talk about the ethics of immigration, though one from a cultural angle and the other from an economic angle. If you were designing an immigration policy, would you rely more on cultural or economic arguments?